Police searching for two men over £200k luxury handbag theft

Detectives are searching for two men after £200,000 worth of luxury handbags and watches were stolen from a north London business.

The Metropolitan Police have released pictures of two men it wants to identify after a burglary at the appointment-only showroom Eveyspreloved on Bunns Lane, Mill Hill between 10.30pm and 10.50pm on 3 December.

Two Cartier watches were also taken from the business.

One man, with short dark hair, wears a black puffer jacket with a black top underneath in the photos released by police. The second man has a dark beard and is wearing a grey hood and black jumper.

CCTV footage captured the two men, who also wore masks around their face during the burglary, kicking in the door to the showroom, and leaving with large bags full of the luxury goods around four minutes later.

The owner of Eveyspreloved, Evey Amery, told Sky News that dealing with the aftermath of the theft has been "really difficult" and she was forced to move her vintage handbag consignment business to a different location.

Police have also stepped up security at her new premises, she says.

Ms Amery, 57, said a "high percentage" of her stock was stolen in a "clearly targeted attack".

The appointment-only showroom stored "wishlist" bags worth thousands of pounds from world-famous fashion houses including Chanel, Hermes and Louis Vuitton.

"These bags belonged to clients who may have inherited or received bags as gifts, equally [they] could have been bags that they may have saved for many years and investment pieces," she said.

"It has taken me a long time to build the business - they have stolen the bags but they will not take my passion and love for what I do."

Ms Amery has also warned prospective customers searching for preloved bags in the run-up to Christmas about buying potentially stolen goods without dust covers, boxes or authenticity details.

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The pair who stole from Ms Amery's shop took the handbags out of their boxes and bags to fit into their larger bag.

Ms Amery, who is also a presenter on shopping channel QVC, opened Eveyspreloved in 2021 after four decades in the fashion industry.

Police are investigating whether the burglary is linked to any others.

Detective Sergeant Joe Halsey said: "I would ask people to look at these images and see if they recognise the two men shown. They were taken in Bunns Lane earlier on the day of the theft.

"The owner of the business is understandably distraught by what has happened and we need assistance to apprehend those responsible.

"At this time we are working to establish whether this burglary is linked to any others."

(c) Sky News 2024: Police searching for two men over £200k luxury handbag theft